This initiative uses United Empire Loyalist Branch records, census and cemetery records, newspapers, etc. to identify and highlight Vancouver Island residents between 1860 and 1950 who were Descendants of United Empire Loyalists.

While descendants of United Empire Loyalists – the explorer/fur traders Alexander Mackenzie, Alexander McKay and Simon Fraser- were among the first to reach the west coast of future Canada, this area was overwhelmingly settled by emigrants who came directly from the United Kingdom along with significant numbers from China and the U.S.A.

During and after the 1860 – 1885 gold rush period, a small number of descendants of United Empire Loyalists arrived by overland or by ship from around the horn or taking the train across Panama. These early UE descendants who were on Vancouver Island for the 1881 Census are highlighted in the Vancouver Island 1881 Census tab above.

Once the transcontinental railroad was completed in late 1885, the large influx of Canadians to Vancouver Island naturally included a fair number of UEL descendants. By 1927, there were enough of these UE descendants on the Island to warrant the development of a local Branch of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada. These UE descendants are highlighted in the Victoria UELAC Founding Members tab below.

From the 1927 Branch formation until 1950, the Branch numbers ebbed and flowed through significant events including the Great Depression and World War II. From records, can estimate that there were approximately 130 members (not including the Founding Members) that joined the Branch between 1927-1950 for various periods of time. These UE descendants are highlighted in the Victoria UELAC Early Members tab below.

Victoria UELAC 1939

It is logical that there were many more descendants of UE Loyalists on Vancouver Island than those who joined the local UE Branch. As will be shown, many descendants of UE have been discovered through analyzing cemetery records. Given its sheer size, history and location in the capital city, Ross Bay Cemetery is far and away the most important historic cemetery on Vancouver Island. Since it opened in 1872, Ross Bay Cemetery has many Loyalist descendants among the over 30,000 names in the data base. The descendants of UE found through Ross Bay records are highlighted in the Ross Bay Cemetery tab above.

While Ross Bay Cemetery is the dominant final resting place, the other cemeteries on the Island also have many descendants of UE Loyalists. The other cemeteries on Vancouver Island have now been researched and are included in the menu tabs at the top of the Home Page.

If you are interested in proving your Loyalist ancestor(s) and/or wish to join our Vancouver Island branch, go to: https://www.uelac.org/uelvictoria/